Money Buzz program aims to offer financial lessons

May 1, 2013 at 12:01 a.m.

Crossroads kids have the chance to pick up a bit of financial know-how.

IBC Bank will once again host Money Buzz, a program aimed at educating youth about personal finance. The program is part of the bank's effort to promote Financial Literacy Month and the American Bankers Association's "Teach Children to Save Day," according to an IBC news release.

Money Buzz demonstrates IBC's "We do more" philosophy, as bank employees invest time and resources to teach children about basic financial concepts, Derek Schmidt, IBC Bank-Port Lavaca's president and CEO, said in the release.

"The financial literacy children gain today builds a foundation for them to become successful and responsible adults," he said.

IBC Bank-Port Lavaca partnered this year with HJM, Jackson-Roosevelt and Our Lady of the Gulf elementary schools in Port Lavaca, according to the release.

In Victoria, partnerships include Stroman and Patti Welder middle schools.

The program, which includes free classes through May, will reach 2,238 Crossroads students, according to the release. Corporatewide, Money Buzz will reach more than 6,150 students throughout Texas and Oklahoma.

IBC developed Money Buzz under the direction of certified teachers. Last year's program introduced new lessons for middle school students, covering topics such as maintaining a check register, reconciling a bank statement and calculating compounded interest.

Free materials are available for children in kindergarten through eighth grade by visiting IBC.com.